The annual international Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa (RAPDASA) hybrid conference took place on 3 - 5 November at the CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.

This year saw the integration of two key South African partners in the 4IR space namely, Robotics and Mechatronics (RobMech) and the Pattern Recognition Association of South Africa (PRASA). The conference was attended by experts in the fields of additive manufacturing, electrical engineering, pattern recognition, robotics, and mechatronics.

"For the first time, experts from industry, academics, and students in additive manufacturing, electrical engineering, pattern recognition, robotics, and mechatronics had an opportunity to present research, network and expand the fraternity that has been built by the three conferences",  says acting head of CSIR Photonics centre, Dr Hencharl Strauss.

The conference was held under the theme, ‘Digital Manufacturing Industrialising Africa’, reinforces a ‘call to arms’ for delegates in advanced digital manufacturing industries to accelerate Africa’s inclusive economic growth as well as increase the competitiveness of its markets to improve the livelihoods of its people.

Speakers included the CSIR’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Thulani Dlamini; internationally acclaimed Terry Wohlers, President of Wohlers Associates, Inc. who delivered a keynote address on advancing the additive manufacturing industry.

The RAPDASA conference serves as a platform to network key global decision-makers in industry, government, and academia together with their local counterparts to grow 4IR advanced manufacturing enterprises across our African continent. Varying topics on industry-focused research will be covered in plenary and parallel sessions, with an opportunity for research institutions and industry players to showcase market-ready technologies.